Danbury Titans Usher In New Hockey Season With Party, First Victory

The Danbury Titans hockey team gathers at Kennedy Flats for a party to kick off the new season.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeDanbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Danbury Titans owner Bruce Bennett and the team mascot pose for a picture.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeBruce Bennett and Titans coach David Lun enjoy the party held at Danbury's Kennedy Flats.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeNew head coach David Lun is excited for his first season with the Danbury Titans.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeOwner Bruce Bennett congratulates the Titans and wishes them the best of luck for the new season.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeA party at Kennedy Flats is a place to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeA party at Kennedy Flats is a place to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeA party at Kennedy Flats is a place to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeA party at Kennedy Flats is a place to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeFans turn out at a party at Kennedy Flats to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeCrowds turn out at a party at Kennedy Flats to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeFans turn out at a party at Kennedy Flats to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole ZapponeCrowds turn out at a party at Kennedy Flats to meet and greet the players on the Danbury Titans hockey team.Photo Credit: Nicole Zappone.Photo Credit: Nicole Zappone

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DANBURY, Conn. -- Hockey fans in Greater Danbury were able to meet and greet the members of the Danbury Titans with a party Wednesday evening at Kennedy Flats and wish them luck in their first game of the season.

And the good wishes paid off. The Titans rallied in their season and home opener for an overtime win, 7-6, over the Berlin River Drivers on Friday.

They ran out of luck in Saturday's game, falling 5-1 to the Watertown Wolves.

The Titans will hit the ice again Sunday at the Danbury Ice Arena as they take on the River Drivers again at 5:05 p.m.

"With the community support and the fans, this is the support that we need to make it a great season. We are working on making the events fun and make it a great show for everyone," Bruce Bennett, owner of the Titans, said at the party at the Kennedy Flats apartments in downtown Danbury, just blocks from the ice arena.

This is the second year of ownership for Bennett, a Danbury resident who has also owned Bruce Bennett Nissan in Wilton for 25 years.

This year, the Titans hope to bring home the championship title in the Federal Hockey League. Head Coach David Lun said there will be some familiar faces on the ice this year, including returning players Dean Yakura, Steve Brown, Taylor Love, Justin Blaszak, Nikita Ivandikov, and Nick Niedert.

"These guys are very good at what they do and they're fun to be around. I even had them over my house to watch baseball one night," Bennett said the Titans.

A number of new players are on the roster, some of whom have played before in the Federal Hockey League and some who are new. Those new teammates include Martin Uhnak (from Dayton Demolition), Mike Dolman (also from Dayton Demolition), Nikolai Okhlobystin (from Brewster Bulldogs), Alex Johnson (also form Brewster Bulldogs), Troy Polino (from Berlin RiverDrivers), Terry Bradford (also from Berlin RiverDrivers), and Matt Graham (from Watertown Privateers).

This year, the Danbury Titans are pumped up and aiming to win that championship title after coming close last season.

"I think tonight's turnout is fantastic; there's a lot of fans excited for the new season, and it's good for Danbury," said Mayor Mark Boughton, who was in attendance.

Plenty of treats were dished up at the even in the residents lounge, with subs from Jersey Mike's, pizza from Papa John's and baked goods from Mother Ship Bakery, which will be opening on Main Street in the next few weeks in downtown Danbury.

"We have our team now and tonight was perfect for the fans and ticket holders to get to meet them before they go out on the ice. It was so nice to be able to have the community come out this evening," said Jed Wilson, vice president of corporate partnerships for the Titans.